U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crashes in Alabama; 1 dead, 3 missing

[News_Editor]

U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crashes in Alabama; 1 dead, 3 missing

2012-03-01 09:16:53 GMT+7 (ICT)

MOBILE BAY, Alabama (BNO NEWS) -- A United States Coast Guard (USCG) helicopter crashed in Mobile Bay in Alabama on Tuesday evening, officials said on Wednesday. At least one crew member was killed while three others remain missing.

The accident happened at approximately 7:40 p.m. local time when a Coast Guard MH-65C helicopter crashed approximately 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) from the shore in Mobile Bay, a Gulf of Mexico inlet which is located in the state of Alabama. Four people were on board.

Soon after the accident, one of the crew members was found unresponsive by the crew of a 26-foot (7.9-meters) Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Boat. The crew member, whose identity was not immediately released, was later declared deceased. Searches for the three other crew members were continuing on Wednesday.

"CG-6535 was flown by a four-person crew and was conducting training operations," said Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Robert Papp. "A full Coast Guard and interagency search and rescue effort was launched - the aircraft was quickly located. One deceased crew member was recovered, and extensive efforts continue to locate the other three crew members."

At least three aircraft and half a dozen boats are involved in the search effort, as well as Good Samaritan vessels. Authorities have remained hopeful as the crew members were equipped with survival gear, but chances of finding survivors were diminishing quickly on late Wednesday.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the crew members during this difficult time," said Captain Don Rose, commander of Coast Guard Sector Mobile. "We are working through the night to continue to conduct a robust search for the three crew members who are still missing and we appreciate the assistance of all of the agencies and personnel who are volunteering their time and resources to assist with the search and rescue efforts."

The cause of the accident was not immediately known, but Papp promised a detailed investigation. "We will conduct a full investigation into this incident to determine the cause," he said in an e-mail.

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